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Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1) in Books
Feb 19, 2018
Shadow and Bone is a quasi-Russian-themed fantasy, from the landscape and building design, the ranks of both the soldiers and the Grisha, right down to the character and place names. This similarity to something slightly familiar had the effect of making the whole world, and the magic contained within it, even more believable to me. I love when I am able to become so completely immersed in a fictional world that I can almost forget it isn’t real.
I liked Alina from her first appearance as a young orphan. She’s smart and wily, and it seems like she is the one instigating if she and her friend Mal end up in trouble. She’s neither whiny, nor arrogant and entitled like she could have been growing up an orphan in a Duke’s home. Rather than feel sorry for herself, she grows into a young woman willing to accept the life that she’s been given, never thinking of herself as anything particularly special. She isn’t perfect; she can be naive, but then learns from her mistakes.
I have to admit that I knew almost nothing about this book going in. I was attracted to the cover (which I kept seeing everywhere), so when Barnes and Noble had the Nook book on sale, I decided I’d finally check it out. What I found was a tale of friendship, betrayal, love, and adventure. I wasn’t disappointed, and if you are a fan of Young Adult, Fantasy, or are just looking for a unique adventure, I don’t think you will be either.
I liked Alina from her first appearance as a young orphan. She’s smart and wily, and it seems like she is the one instigating if she and her friend Mal end up in trouble. She’s neither whiny, nor arrogant and entitled like she could have been growing up an orphan in a Duke’s home. Rather than feel sorry for herself, she grows into a young woman willing to accept the life that she’s been given, never thinking of herself as anything particularly special. She isn’t perfect; she can be naive, but then learns from her mistakes.
I have to admit that I knew almost nothing about this book going in. I was attracted to the cover (which I kept seeing everywhere), so when Barnes and Noble had the Nook book on sale, I decided I’d finally check it out. What I found was a tale of friendship, betrayal, love, and adventure. I wasn’t disappointed, and if you are a fan of Young Adult, Fantasy, or are just looking for a unique adventure, I don’t think you will be either.
Purrsistently (46 KP) rated The Sign of the Cat in Books
Jun 24, 2018 (Updated Jun 24, 2018)
Kitten, Tigers, Eels, Oh My!
I really loved this middle grade offering. The cats are an obvious draw themselves of course but it was well constructed apart from its feline charm.
The plot kept one guessing enough to be engaged (I finished in one long sitting), there were interesting lovable characters (if not perhaps the most fleshed out- though I’d say it was easily on par with Narnia in that regard), the dialogue wasn’t anything you’d find in Austen but there were moments that drew chuckles and I was satisfied on that score for the age group it is intended to appeal to.
The narrative had its insightful moments, and the writing itself was pleasant. I’d think the vocabulary employed would be largely comfortable but stretching (in a good way) for most 4th-6th graders, though obviously that depends on the child.
The only warning I would have for very young sensitive animal loving children is that the villain might be a tad dark for them. I’m certain I would have cried and been furious at a couple points as a child and probably would have ranted to family and friends about how despicable he was. One part drew a “well, F***!” from me as it is, and a couple descriptions made me a bit squeamish but they were not graphic and I’m pretty squeamish about such things in general. I would gladly recommend it to most any kiddo I know or even an adult who really likes cats. :P
The plot kept one guessing enough to be engaged (I finished in one long sitting), there were interesting lovable characters (if not perhaps the most fleshed out- though I’d say it was easily on par with Narnia in that regard), the dialogue wasn’t anything you’d find in Austen but there were moments that drew chuckles and I was satisfied on that score for the age group it is intended to appeal to.
The narrative had its insightful moments, and the writing itself was pleasant. I’d think the vocabulary employed would be largely comfortable but stretching (in a good way) for most 4th-6th graders, though obviously that depends on the child.
The only warning I would have for very young sensitive animal loving children is that the villain might be a tad dark for them. I’m certain I would have cried and been furious at a couple points as a child and probably would have ranted to family and friends about how despicable he was. One part drew a “well, F***!” from me as it is, and a couple descriptions made me a bit squeamish but they were not graphic and I’m pretty squeamish about such things in general. I would gladly recommend it to most any kiddo I know or even an adult who really likes cats. :P
The Boomerang app is great for fans of classic cartoons. Their content includes the entirety of The Flintstones and The Jetsons as well as other Hanna-Barbera classics. They also have plenty of Looney Tunes and WB content. I'm hoping they continue to add to the catalog because no other streaming service carries much of this kind of content. They also stream some modern cartoons which some may be interested in.
I've tried the app on both my Android phone and my Fire Stick. I've had no issue with the streaming and it seems to run very smoothly. I also think the app looks great. The design is clean and colorful. I only have a couple of minor complaints about the app. First, it has a startup screen that has sound that you cannot turn off. This can be somewhat annoying. Second, when selecting a cartoon it automatically starts playing the first episode, or whichever episode you're on rather than taking you to a screen that shows all episodes. If you want to see all of the episodes you have to hit a tiny information button very precisely. I'd rather it just take me to the episode screen immediately.
At only $4.99 a month, I'm really happy with this service. It's pretty inexpensive and I've probably watched more on it than a lot of my other streaming subscriptions (which, as an adult with no children, I probably should be embarrassed by). They also have a 7-day free trial, so I recommend giving it a try!
I've tried the app on both my Android phone and my Fire Stick. I've had no issue with the streaming and it seems to run very smoothly. I also think the app looks great. The design is clean and colorful. I only have a couple of minor complaints about the app. First, it has a startup screen that has sound that you cannot turn off. This can be somewhat annoying. Second, when selecting a cartoon it automatically starts playing the first episode, or whichever episode you're on rather than taking you to a screen that shows all episodes. If you want to see all of the episodes you have to hit a tiny information button very precisely. I'd rather it just take me to the episode screen immediately.
At only $4.99 a month, I'm really happy with this service. It's pretty inexpensive and I've probably watched more on it than a lot of my other streaming subscriptions (which, as an adult with no children, I probably should be embarrassed by). They also have a 7-day free trial, so I recommend giving it a try!
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated School for Psychics (School for Psychics, #1) in Books
Jul 5, 2018
Oh my gosh what a surprise this book was. For the most part I figured it would be a YA fantasy (given the name) but I was pleasantly surprised by what was inside this book. Teddy was a pleasant character to read - she starts off in some trouble and to get out of that trouble she's offered a spot at, like the book title suggests, a school for psychics, to hone whatever skills she potentially has. She gets there and of course feels at home, she's been weird and different all her life (same stories as most books like this) but it didn't feel rushed or forced or out of place.
Aside from the initial hint at a love triangle this was very much more of a fast pace thriller than I had expected. There were lulls of course, every book usually has that, but by a certain point, after all the classes and things, there was quite the story to behold.
There were also parts I felt, wow, these guys act younger than they are supposed to be - which I was a bit frustrated at, I mean, you're supposed to be an adult why act like a tween?
This book is worth a read though 100% and I will definitely be continuing the series when the next book comes out! Other characters I enjoyed were Molly (even though there were some interesting things going on with her) and I adored Jillian to no end ... and a guy named Pyro, who wouldnt enjoy that.
Aside from the initial hint at a love triangle this was very much more of a fast pace thriller than I had expected. There were lulls of course, every book usually has that, but by a certain point, after all the classes and things, there was quite the story to behold.
There were also parts I felt, wow, these guys act younger than they are supposed to be - which I was a bit frustrated at, I mean, you're supposed to be an adult why act like a tween?
This book is worth a read though 100% and I will definitely be continuing the series when the next book comes out! Other characters I enjoyed were Molly (even though there were some interesting things going on with her) and I adored Jillian to no end ... and a guy named Pyro, who wouldnt enjoy that.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) in Movies
Nov 16, 2018 (Updated Nov 19, 2018)
Newt (2 more)
The beasts
Jude Law as Dumbledore
Johnny Depp (2 more)
Johnny Depp
and Johnny Depp
*After reading the screenplay, I'm knocking this rating down.
I am completely torn on this one, I liked some parts, but hated others. I also really can't stand Johnny Depp, and I rolled my eyes to myself every time he was on screen...
In my book, Jude Law was playing Richard Harris' Dumbledore, not... Michael Gambon (Don't even get me started on Gambon: 'Did you put your name in the goblet of fire, Harry?' Dumbledore asked CALMLY). So, it was a good way to go.
I did not like the way they went with some characters, namely one, who was rumored to go to Grindelwald's camp. Making a likeable character slightly deranged was irritating. There was a name drop at Hogwarts that had to have been a relative, unless the original character became an adult professor before she was technically born...
However, the possible recons that occurred didn't mess with canon as badly as that terrible Cursed Child mess.
It was largely predictable, and even the end, it was all foreshadowed, and not in a good way. The best bits were of Newt with the beasts... I liked Eddie Redmayne, as always, but can we please stop calling these movies Fantastic Beasts? 6 for him and the Niffler alone.
I wanted to largely stay away from a comparison, but I feel like Rowling is going the George Lucas route. And, that's not a compliment.
I am completely torn on this one, I liked some parts, but hated others. I also really can't stand Johnny Depp, and I rolled my eyes to myself every time he was on screen...
In my book, Jude Law was playing Richard Harris' Dumbledore, not... Michael Gambon (Don't even get me started on Gambon: 'Did you put your name in the goblet of fire, Harry?' Dumbledore asked CALMLY). So, it was a good way to go.
I did not like the way they went with some characters, namely one, who was rumored to go to Grindelwald's camp. Making a likeable character slightly deranged was irritating. There was a name drop at Hogwarts that had to have been a relative, unless the original character became an adult professor before she was technically born...
However, the possible recons that occurred didn't mess with canon as badly as that terrible Cursed Child mess.
It was largely predictable, and even the end, it was all foreshadowed, and not in a good way. The best bits were of Newt with the beasts... I liked Eddie Redmayne, as always, but can we please stop calling these movies Fantastic Beasts? 6 for him and the Niffler alone.
I wanted to largely stay away from a comparison, but I feel like Rowling is going the George Lucas route. And, that's not a compliment.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
The deadly, demented, and dangerous, and dysfunctional Task Force X has returned in “Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay”. The new animated film from Warner Bros Home Entertainment features the voice talents of Christian Slater, Vanessa Williams, Greg Grunberg, Tara Strong, and many others in an adult themed story which should delight fans of the series who thought the PG-13 approach of the live action film did not do the series the proper treatment they believed was due.
The worst of the worst have been recruited to recover a mysterious artifact and thanks to the explosives implanted in their heads; their control and compliance is expected.
Deadshoot, Harley Quinn, Copperhead, Captain Boomerang, Killer Frost, and others set out to complete their mission despite their usual issues with authority, the world, and each other. Naturally they are not unopposed as Captain Zoom, Banshee, and others stand in their way.
As the team fights others and amongst themselves, the body count piles up as this is not a kid’s movie and the blood and bullets fly frequently.
The animation and voice acting is first rate as you would expect from Warner Bros and the large cast works very well bringing their characters to life and infusing them with a complexity which is deeply engaging.
In another triumph for the studio, the movie delivers all that fans expect and more and let us hopes we will be seeing Task Force X again in the very near future.
http://sknr.net/2018/04/10/suicide-squad-hell-to-pay/
The worst of the worst have been recruited to recover a mysterious artifact and thanks to the explosives implanted in their heads; their control and compliance is expected.
Deadshoot, Harley Quinn, Copperhead, Captain Boomerang, Killer Frost, and others set out to complete their mission despite their usual issues with authority, the world, and each other. Naturally they are not unopposed as Captain Zoom, Banshee, and others stand in their way.
As the team fights others and amongst themselves, the body count piles up as this is not a kid’s movie and the blood and bullets fly frequently.
The animation and voice acting is first rate as you would expect from Warner Bros and the large cast works very well bringing their characters to life and infusing them with a complexity which is deeply engaging.
In another triumph for the studio, the movie delivers all that fans expect and more and let us hopes we will be seeing Task Force X again in the very near future.
http://sknr.net/2018/04/10/suicide-squad-hell-to-pay/
Merissa (13828 KP) rated Half Dead & Fully Broken in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from Curiosity Quills in return for a fair and honest review.
This book starts with a bang and will draw you in as you continue to read every word. Imagine being an identical twin, identical in every way even down to a mole on your foot. Now imagine that you are the quieter one, the one who messes things up rather than puts them right. Imagine that your twin in the "go-to guy" in every situation. Now imagine that in an accident caused by abnormal behaviour, he is ripped away from you, from your family, from his friends, and from school. Now imagine that you have to carry on living.
This is what happens at the start of this book and then you discover just how Carter feels as he walks around sharing a face with his dead twin. We also get an insight on how Mel (Marcus' girlfriend) feels and also Justin, the boy who was driving the truck also involved with the accident. The depth of emotion that is covered between these three is brilliant to read.
Marcus plays a bigger part in this book than I realised and to be honest, he freaked me out a bit every time he showed up. I wasn't sure if he was a good guy or bad guy and it didn't help that Carter didn't know either!
If you are looking for a Young Adult story that deals with emotional issues, with a dash of the paranormal, then I can highly recommend this book.
This book starts with a bang and will draw you in as you continue to read every word. Imagine being an identical twin, identical in every way even down to a mole on your foot. Now imagine that you are the quieter one, the one who messes things up rather than puts them right. Imagine that your twin in the "go-to guy" in every situation. Now imagine that in an accident caused by abnormal behaviour, he is ripped away from you, from your family, from his friends, and from school. Now imagine that you have to carry on living.
This is what happens at the start of this book and then you discover just how Carter feels as he walks around sharing a face with his dead twin. We also get an insight on how Mel (Marcus' girlfriend) feels and also Justin, the boy who was driving the truck also involved with the accident. The depth of emotion that is covered between these three is brilliant to read.
Marcus plays a bigger part in this book than I realised and to be honest, he freaked me out a bit every time he showed up. I wasn't sure if he was a good guy or bad guy and it didn't help that Carter didn't know either!
If you are looking for a Young Adult story that deals with emotional issues, with a dash of the paranormal, then I can highly recommend this book.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Unknown Reality in Books
Nov 28, 2019
Chloe lives with her family in what seems to be a fairly normal life. But after meeting a stranger during a trip to the theatre, she starts to realise that all might not be as it seems and her world - and her entire life- might be nothing more than a simulation. Abruptly thrown out of the only existance she has known she has to face up to a different reality. She must adapt to her new circumstances and new reality when all she wants is to return 'home'.
Following on from the young adult fantasy stories of Truth Teller and The Wrath of Siren, Chambers once again sets out to encourage an interest in fiction in young adults, in this case science fiction. Once again he produces an interesting and engaging work, choc full of characters and ideas. Just the first few chapters contain enough material for the average science fiction work but Chambers goes further, layering further nuanced plots and subplots together and managing to spin them together into a terrific ending.
Chloe is a strong protagonist, intelligent and thoughtful while always remaining an 11 year old in outlook and the reader will really root for her and want her to succeed. The world Chambers creates is very well described and imagined, relying on science fiction standards for some parts but carefully avoiding cliche and doing what science fiction does best - highlight some of the folly of the real world.
Yet another terrific book from Chambers, one of those authors who is a 'must read' for my teenage sons.
Following on from the young adult fantasy stories of Truth Teller and The Wrath of Siren, Chambers once again sets out to encourage an interest in fiction in young adults, in this case science fiction. Once again he produces an interesting and engaging work, choc full of characters and ideas. Just the first few chapters contain enough material for the average science fiction work but Chambers goes further, layering further nuanced plots and subplots together and managing to spin them together into a terrific ending.
Chloe is a strong protagonist, intelligent and thoughtful while always remaining an 11 year old in outlook and the reader will really root for her and want her to succeed. The world Chambers creates is very well described and imagined, relying on science fiction standards for some parts but carefully avoiding cliche and doing what science fiction does best - highlight some of the folly of the real world.
Yet another terrific book from Chambers, one of those authors who is a 'must read' for my teenage sons.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Honey Boy (2019) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
392. Honey Boy. A story about a boy, who's dad made a living off him, by pimping him out to Hollywood, ensuring he would grow up to be a weirdo, the Shia LeBeouf story. Ok, it's written by him, oh and it stars him as Tom Cruise's character from Born on the Fourth of July, only he's not in a wheel chair, he has a son. Dad, James and son, Otis live in a motel, close by the movie studios where Otis is a child actor, doing child actor things...insert Corey Feldman stories here... while his dad, lives off him, and doing other shady things and not being a good dad, and how the two deal with that. Movie also tells the tale of twenty-something Otis, and his adult acting life is... insert Shia LeBeouf stories here... where he relives the memories we are watching. Guy who plays older Otis, Lucas Hedges, has LeBeouf's super annoying way of aggressive, spit-talking and mannerisms down pact, even though it's not supposed to be him in the first place...ooops. I really did enjoy the movie I just felt there were several places where I felt the filmmakers were patting themselves on the back, saying to themselves 'yea man, this is deep. stretch this out a little longer, man, really show that this 12 year old boy's relationship with the prostitute across the way is beautiful, not creepy in any way at all.' Worth the watch, check it out! Filmbufftim on FB
Debbiereadsbook (1675 KP) rated Murder on the Mountain (Marshall Brothers #1) in Books
May 2, 2020
good, but not one for me!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book.
It's well written, with both Adam and Emma having a say, in the third person. POV flips at random points though, and it got a bit confusing. There are some clear changes, it's just there are also some points its Emma in one paragraph and moves swiftly onto the next paragraph and its Adam.
It's CLEAN. Just some kissing. I struggled with the concept of a single kiss being the reason these two never really loved anyone else after 10 years. A Hig School kiss under the mistletoe. Just a bit odd to me, is all. Might make perfect sense to some, maybe I'm just too cynical.
There is violence, but dealing with a drug lord was never gonna be a picnic, now was it? It's not very graffic, it's just there and needed. But for the violence, I would have tagged this young adult. It's just a tad too much for that, but one scene less and it would be.
I liked this book, I did not love it. This is the first in a series of the brothers Marshall, 6 of them, I think Adam said at some point but I forget already. It is also the first of Ms LaRoche I've read. Will I read more? I will certainly try. I DID finish this book.
3 good solid stars, just not really one for me.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
For the most part, I enjoyed this book.
It's well written, with both Adam and Emma having a say, in the third person. POV flips at random points though, and it got a bit confusing. There are some clear changes, it's just there are also some points its Emma in one paragraph and moves swiftly onto the next paragraph and its Adam.
It's CLEAN. Just some kissing. I struggled with the concept of a single kiss being the reason these two never really loved anyone else after 10 years. A Hig School kiss under the mistletoe. Just a bit odd to me, is all. Might make perfect sense to some, maybe I'm just too cynical.
There is violence, but dealing with a drug lord was never gonna be a picnic, now was it? It's not very graffic, it's just there and needed. But for the violence, I would have tagged this young adult. It's just a tad too much for that, but one scene less and it would be.
I liked this book, I did not love it. This is the first in a series of the brothers Marshall, 6 of them, I think Adam said at some point but I forget already. It is also the first of Ms LaRoche I've read. Will I read more? I will certainly try. I DID finish this book.
3 good solid stars, just not really one for me.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**